Enrollment at South Dakota Public Universities Up Slightly

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - Enrollment at South Dakota's six public universities grew by slightly less than 1 percent this fall. The head count of students is 36,430, up 327 from the previous year.

Board of Regents Executive Director Jack Warner says the level enrollment is a good sign because many students are leaving school to get jobs now that the economy is improving.

The University of South Dakota reports 10,284 students, up 3 percent.

South Dakota State University has 12,583 students, down more than 1 percent. And South Dakota School of Mines and Technology has 2,424 students, up nearly 5 percent.

Northern State University reports enrollment of 3,622, up more than 1 percent. Black Hills State University is mostly unchanged at 4,407 students, and Dakota State also is level with last year at 3,110.